Wales 23 Fiji 13

Warren Gatland’s men were pushed to the limit by the superb Islanders but they backed up their stunning comeback success over England to turn up the already scorching heat on the tournament hosts.

Whatever happens in London on Saturday evening, Wales’ fate is in their own hands thanks to two hard-fought victories in the space of five days.

Hands were on knees in the closing stages as lungs burned and socks were around ankles but they can now put their feet up to watch the English try and save their bacon. If they do it, fair dinkum, Wales will just have to beat the Aussies.

And Warren Gatland will be relieved that the stretcher wasn’t needed, giving him at least a couple of selection quandaries for the return to Twickenham.

Tyler Morgan should be 13 for Australia after a solid, mature display outside Jamie Roberts. The 20-year-old Newport Gwent Dragons prospect is a stunning runner but encouragingly he just did the simple things well.

The other Morgan, Matthew at full-back, produced a performance to make Gatland at least consider him instead of the out-of-form Alex Cuthbert, but it comes down to risk-reward.

The Bristol livewire produced some dazzling runs but was also exposed defensively and has an infuriating aversion to booting the ball 10 rows back even when faced by a wall of chasers deep inside his own half. Cuthbert should get the nod if Liam Williams is deemed fit.

Solving scrum problems won’t be so easy – England hammered them and so did Fiji. Without a platform Wales are in trouble and the superb Taulupe Faletau frequently had to carry from a rapidly retreating scrum.

But they can work on their set piece on the back of three wins and after avoiding coming a cropper against a courageous side.

Spectators had been warned to plan ahead as Cardiff Bus drivers were on strike but there was no chance of Fiji downing tools even though their qualification hopes were over.

The Islanders went into the game without a point but that didn’t tell the true story; they had caused England and the Wallabies all manner of problems so Gatland’s men did not enter the game thinking of a bonus.

Fiji, ranked 10th in the world, were determined to grasp their final shot at claiming a big scalp even without the services of key backs Nemani Nadolo (suspended), Niko Matawalu and Waisea Nayacalevu (both injured). They were in with a shout until the closing stages.

It was an absolutely bonkers start with George North rampaging to within yards of the line, two Welsh attempts at driving lineouts, countless lunges at the line, a Fijian counter-attack from their own 22 and a botched attempt to run from their own dead ball area all inside five minutes.

The pressure told with scrum-half Gareth Davies adding to his Twickenham effort with a show and go under the sticks, Dan Biggar adding the extras to make it 7-0 in the eighth minute.

Fiji were on the board through the boot of Ben Volavola after their scrum destroyed Wales – this one couldn’t be attributed to the illegal body angle England loosehead Joe Marler – but the fly-half wasted another chance and Biggar restored the seven-point buffer.

The visitors were enjoying plenty of possession yet the hosts were playing them at their own game, Matthew Morgan looking dangerous from full-back on the counter-attack and Davies upping the tempo with quick taps.

Wales wrestled back control and earned some breathing space just past the half hour thanks to a glorious move instigated by the in-form Biggar.

He conjured a lovely pass to put lock Alun Wyn Jones running free and when Tyler Morgan was dragged down just short hooker Scott Baldwin was on hand to sneak over.

Biggar added the extras but Fiji had the final say of a breathless first half when Volavola punished another well-beaten scrum to make it 17-6.

The Islanders had bossed the second half against a well-rested Australia in Cardiff so the celebrated Welsh fitness would be tested to the limit from the resumption.

And Fiji started the second half superbly with one daring raid nearly bringing a score and then, seconds after Alex Cuthbert shelled a golden chance for an interception try, centre Vereniki Goneva powered over after a break that started with wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma skinning prop Gethin Jenkins from inside the Fiji 22.

It was a stunning, well-deserved score and Volavola’s conversion made it 17-13.

Had the Fijian fly-half had his kicking boots on they would have been in front and the contrast was made clear when Biggar boomed over a three-pointer.

Nonetheless, it was nervy stuff at 20-13 entering the final quarter with Wales playing some mind-numbingly loose rugby and failing to get the ball off the paddock.

Another Biggar penalty, strangely thanks to another disastrous scrum that saw Fiji go off their feet scenting blood from scrappy ball, secured the spoils in a game that had remained about the quest for four points rather than five.

Wales: M Morgan (J Hook 70), A Cuthbert (L Williams 20-26), T Morgan, J Roberts, G North; D Biggar (R Priestland 72), G Davies; G Jenkins (A Jarvis 66), S Baldwin (K Owens 54), T Francis (S Lee 49); B Davies (L Charteris 13-26, 64), AW Jones; D Lydiate (J Tipuric 69), S Warburton, T Faletau.

Scorers: tries – G Davies, S Baldwin; conversions – D Biggar (2); penalties – D Biggar (3)

Fiji: M Talebula, T Nagusa, V Goneva (J Matavesi 70), L Botia (K Murimurivalu 74), A Tikoirotuma, B Volavola, N Kenatale (H Seniloli 70), C Ma'afu (P Ravai 76), S Koto, M Saulo (L Atalifo 76), T Cavubati (N Soqeta 69), L Nakarawa, D Waqaniburotu (M Ravulo 69), A Qera (captain), N Talei.

Scorers: try – V Goneva; conversion – B Volavola; penalties – B Volavola (2)

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

Attendance: 71,576

Argus star man: Taulupe Faletau